Latest Area News Headlines

WORTHINGTON – The Nobles County Commissioners Tuesday observed a traditional changing of the guards – 2014 Chair Marv Zylstra handed over the gavel to Commissioner Matt Widboom, who was named the 2015 Chair. Commissioner Gene Metz was named Vice-Chair for 2015.

Judge Gordon Moore was on hand to swear in Metz and Commissioner Don Linssen, who were both re-elected in November. Moore also swore in Nobles County Attorney Kathy Kusz, Recorder Lynn Wilson, Auditor/Treasurer Beth Van Hove and Sheriff Kent Wilkening. All of them ran unopposed for their seats.

WORTHINGTON - The Worthington Police Department has completed all of the recent hiring and promotion processes to fill the vacant department positions, according to Chief Troy Appel. Since his appointment as Chief of Police on October 6, 2014, the department has filled the positions of Captain with Kevin Flynn, Patrol Sergeant with Josh McCuen, Detective Sergeant/Buffalo Ridge Drug Task Force Commander with Nate Grimmius, Detective with Tyler Olson, BRDTF Agent with Joe Joswiak, and has hired two new patrol officers, Andrew Bromberg and Austin Christensen.

WORTHINGTON – During an information meeting Sunday at St. Mary’s Church in Worthington, attorneys from the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota spoke about President Obama’s Executive Action on Immigration Reform, which has the potential to be exploited in a fraudulent manner.

Attorney Sara Karki said frauds are already distributing advertisements, saying they are ready to take their applications. The problem is, forms are still being developed, and the first applications for the Expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA) will not be accepted until February, and...

LUVERNE – Two people from South Dakota received non-life threatening injuries when their vehicle hit a deer on I-90 in Rock County early this morning, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. 22-year-old Tyler Jacobson of Sioux Falls, was driving a 2014 Toyota Camry eastbound near mile marker 14 when he struck a deer. 19-year-old Nathan Jacobson of Brandon was a passenger in the vehicle. Damages to the Camry were severe. The crash took place at approximately 12:42 a.m

BREWSTER – A teenager received non-life threatening injuries in a crash Thursday afternoon that involved minor...

UPDATE:
LYND – Three people are dead and three more seriously injured after a minivan collided head-on with a shuttle bus Wednesday afternoon on Minnesota State Highway 23 near Lynd, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

A 1996 Dodge Caravan, driven by 80-year-old Robert McClain of Marshall, was traveling east on Highway 23 when it entered the westbound lane and struck a 2009 shuttle bus head on, according to information from the state patrol. He and his wife, Shirley MClain, 72, of Marshall, were declared deceased at the scene.

WORTHINGTON - In observance of New Year’s Day, all city, county and state government offices will be closed Thursday, including the law enforcement center at Prairie Justice Center. The Nobles County Library will be closed Thursday, but will re-open Friday.

On Wednesday, the Worthington Post Office carriers will deliver as normal, but the office windows will close at 1 p.m. The post office will be closed Thursday and there will be no deliveries, but operations will resume as normal on Friday.

All Worthington financial institutions will be closed Thursday, but will observe...

WORTHINGTON – A Worthington man and his teenage daughter received non-life threatening injuries Monday night when the vehicle they were in skidded off the road and rolled, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. Michael Bousema, age 47, of Worthington, was southbound on Nobles County Road 25 in his 2008 Ford F350 and attempting to turn onto the eastbound I-90 ramp when the vehicle skidded and rolled into a dry waterway.

Bousema was taken to Sanford Worthington Medical Center for treatment. His 17-year-old daughter has no medical facility recorded. Damage to his truck was severe....

PIPESTONE - The Pipestone County Museum will offer free admission on Saturdays beginning Jan. 3 and running through Memorial Day weekend. The exhibits currently on display at the museum include 125 Years, Pipestone Fire Department, featuring photographs and equipment used by the fire department over the years, an exhibit featuring the Pipestone County Country Schools, a displays include Native American Beadwork, Railroads and more.

Early in 2015, an exhibit on Dance Halls and Ballrooms will open. On-going displays include hands-on children’s interactives such as animal furs, animal...

WORTHINGTON – Nobles County’s elected officials received a raise during Tuesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting – the last of 2014 and possibly the longest of the year.
A comparable worth study showed Nobles County officials weren’t being paid enough, so salaries were boosted up. County Attorney Kathy Kusz was given an increase of 1.75 percent to $108,250. Auditor/Treasurer Beth Van Hove’s salary was raised to $69,000, an increase of more than 9.4 percent, and Recorder Lynn Wilson will receive $68,300, an increase of 3.74 percent. Sheriff Kent Wilkening, who told the commissioners...